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Crew History

Before 1993, Regional Helitack Services were provided under contract. Regional initial attack crews were based in Campbell River, Nanaimo, Duncan, Pemberton and Hope. In 1994, contracted Helitack Services were cancelled and the ministry incorporated Helitack crews into the region.  Regional Helitack bases were established in Pemberton, Qualicum Beach and Hope. All initial attack crews were rebranded to Vancouver Initial Fire Attack Crews (VIFAC). 

In 1995, the QUAMSAT Fire Base in Qualicum Beach was decommissioned, and the five initial attack (IA) crews were relocated to the newly established Quinsam Fire Base at 905 Nursery Road in Campbell River. The five crews retained their VIFAC call signs—Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, and November.

By 1997, the VIFAC call signs were phased out, and the fire centre transitioned to the current nomenclature, adopting the “Coast” designation for call signs.

Additionally, it is believed that the first IA crew in Bella Coola was hired as an El Niño Crew, with Jim Richardson serving as the crew leader for a two-year term. In 1998, two of the Quinsam crews were reassigned to the Sunshine Coast Fire Zone.

Patches

Crew Supervisor

B. Mann – 2024 – Current

H. Nelson – 2022 – 2024

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